I’m a cheater. There. I said it. I’m admitting it right here on Waterworld Mermaids. I’m cheating on my sprinting partner. Actually, I’m cheating on all of them.

I’m the type of girl who needs someone to always keep me accountable, or I drift away. Like a woman married to a great guy that just can’t be with her all the time. Apparently I’m a lot more needy than I thought. I can’t be happy with just one partner.

I’m a swinging sprinter!

There you have it. I’ve opened up my writing relationships to other partners. Each one gives me something I need that another one can’t. One is published and is working on edits, and that’s great, but I need someone who’s looking to create new words and meet goals and stuff like that. One is struggling right along with me, and I love that we’re on the same page. One is on vacation, and one of my grandma’s favorite sayings comes back to me: “Absence makes the heart grow fonder…for somebody else.”

Yesterday I had so many sprints going that I felt like Mrs. Doubtfire when she/he kept showing up at different tables in the restaurant, forgetting who she/he was supposed to be. I had to start keeping track on paper! At one point I had two going at the same time.

My Young Adult chapter started a #YARWAsprint, but I was in the middle of trying to finish up one with a friend. In the end, I had to split my word count between them.

Then I realized…MORE IS BETTER! Now I’m introducing all my partners to each other so we can all sprint together. I’ve found that when we’re all working toward the same goals and trying to lift each other up and encourage each other to keep at it, we all succeed. It’s easy to get distracted with the internet and social media, but it’s a hell of lot harder when you’re supposed to make yourself accountable to somebody else. Somebody who is actually working when you’re scrolling through Twitter feeds and you’re checking emails and clicking on one link after another. And by “you,” I totally mean me.

If anyone wants to sprint with me, I’m your girl. Don’t feel guilty about cheating on your own partner. Ask them to join. We can all be “Swinging Sprinters.” The more, the merrier. You can find me on Twitter at @KimMacCarron. Or just comment below.

Here’s my very favorite saying in all the land to help us get motivated and get those books either finished or started or polished: “When we are dreaming alone it is only a dream. When we are dreaming with others, it is the beginning of reality.”—Dom Helder Camara

Love the post! (Pintip, don’t hate me! Let’s consider a Ménage à trois instead of looking at it as Kim cheating!) Yes, I’m one of the sprinters. But I can’t always do it when Kim wants to (or vice-versa) so I agree that having a multitude of partners in your support group is the way to go. Accountability does give you that one extra boost to push through and reach a goal (just so you can say you did!) when so much is conspiring against us in our real lives to keep us from our goals. I also agree with Kim that we should have differing levels of experience in our partners. I’ve been at this way longer than I care to admit to still be unpublished. Most of my friends have crossed over into the publishing world, some who’ve been writing for much less time than I have. I am happy to have all their experiences to draw from. But it’s also great to also have those around me who understand the heartbreak and frustrations of the struggle to even get in the door. You really can’t have too many besties in this business… we all need all the support and help we can get! Great post, Kim. (Oh, and I have too many fave sayings of inspirations too—not just one—so, I couldn’t think of just one to share. Guess I’m a cheater in all ways.)

Yay, one of my sprinters-on-the-side! lol. So great to be sprinting together lately. And you’re so right. Accountability does give us that extra boost. And love that we can’t have too many besties in this business. You really can’t. Glad I can count you as one of mine, my Savvy Sis.

Well, it comes as no shock to me whatsoever that you’re a swinging sprinter. Just remember, you’re swinging with all the people your other cheaters have swung with before, so be sure your virus protection is up to date. ;0)

Yes, I do realize that. We swingers certainly get around. I’m sure I’ve been a-swinging with some of yours as well. Tammy! Have we seriously never sprinted together??? hmmmm. *scratches head* We need to rectify this situation. Pronto. And I miss you, too!!!

Sandra,
Too funny about the freezing. I do too sometimes, but it really helps get me going when I know I SHOULD be writing. It’s actually more of a way to keep me from getting distracted by Twitter and email. If I know someone thinks I should be writing, then i actually do. It’s all mental. I’m mental. lol

As Pintip has pointed out, we HAVE sprinted together. And I know because I distinctly remember getting up so damn early. haha. I know you’ve been in training. You scare me. I’m like a slow walker compared to you. 🙂

Oh my gosh Kimberly! I read this earlier and was grinning ear to ear. You write ***The Best*** honest posts that are so entertaining! You’re always saying what we all want to say but don’t have the guts. You are my heroine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kimberly MacCarron – you get around!! I didn’t realize until reading through the comments how much you’ve been cheating on me – and with so many people!! Busted. But I know I haven’t been putting out lately, so I don’t blame you…

Ack! I’ve never sprinted but I cheat on my CPs all the time. In fact I’m a serial polygamist with my critique partners. Have lots of them stashed away all over the place.
And Have the Courage to Suck might be my favorite mantra when it comes to writing.
Hugs and cheat long and prosper!

Too funny, Sonali! I think I’m in some weird incestuous relationship because all my CPs end up EACH OTHER’S CPs. But, it’s kind of fun that way. I thought mine were stashed on the side, but apparently I didn’t stash well enough because my other CPs were apparently rummaging around in my stuff and found them.
Love the “Have the courage to suck.” I had plenty of courage the other day. I was writing one sucky word after the other….:-)
Thanks for stopping by!